News Release

Thursday, October 30, 2003

Road Rage Ends In Shooting Death

Los Angeles: During the evening hours on Saturday, September 12, 2003, Cesar Garnica, a 30 year-old resident of Huntington Park, and an avid motorcyclist, had gathered with family members and friends for an evening motorcycle ride.

As the group rode through Hollywood, unidentified suspects traveling behind them in a BMW, became irate over the slower moving motorcyclists. At some point, Garnica and other members of his group became embroiled in a dispute with the occupants of the BMW. Their dispute continued as they drove west on Hollywood Boulevard approaching Laurel Canyon Boulevard. According to witnesses, the dispute escalated to the point where the windshield of the BMW was smashed and an occupant of the BMW fatally shot Garnica. The BMW then drove north on Laurel Canyon Boulevard and was last seen in the area of Ventura Boulevard.

Witnesses described the vehicle as a 1996 to 2001 BMW, Burgundy in color and possibly a 325I model. The vehicle had four doors, tinted windows, chrome rims and was equipped with a sunroof. The vehicle license plate may have contained the numbers 7 and 8. In addition to the smashed windshield, a front seat airbag may have been activated.

The occupants of the vehicle are described as possibly being of Armenian descent. The driver is described as a male, approximately 20 to 25 years of age. He had a shaved head and a tattoo of what appeared to be a long black bar on his left inner arm. A second occupant was described as a male, approximately 25 to 28 years of age and having a stocky build. He had short hair, thick eyebrows and wore a mustache and goatee. A third occupant of the vehicle may have been female.

A composite of the possible suspects will be available at Media Relations Section, 150 North Los Angeles Street, Room 626.

The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in the identification of the BMW and its occupants. The City of Los Angeles has approved a $25,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the occupants of the BMW, their arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Hollywood Homicide Detectives at, 213-485-6410. During off-hours, a message can be left on the Hollywood Area Tip Hot Line at, 213-485-9168. On weekends and during off-hours, please contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.